Depression Is Not Just Another “mood” | Real Talk with Sylvie

According to www.psychiatry.org depression is a common and serious medical illness that negatively affects how you feel, act or think. In our African society depression is seen as just another mood or phase that one is going through. It’s time to educate ourselves about this energy draining condition and the dangers that comes with it.  Depression is a long term condition that is caused by a series of events such as childhood problems, drugs and alcohol abuse, insecurities, self hate or anxieties etc. These all mount up to a feeling of sadness or disengament in various activities. Depression does not discriminate based on age, gender, race, nationality or even financial status.

Most people who are going through this often do not speak about it because of the fear of being judged or just being told “get over it.” Growing up I came to the realization that in most of our African communities, victims of depression are often perceived as just people going through a bad mood that will eventually pass. When we turn a blind eye and do not step in to help those going through this emotional condition it can lead to self harm, simply because they do not feel worthy enough or even loved. Cutting oneself on a wrist or any other body part is very common in young people; this is done to relieve some of the pain they are going through. Others try to eat their depression away or simply just starve themselves.

If depression is not treated it can lead to death. Most victims resort to suicide simply because they do not have a purpose to live for. We can help victims of depression by talking to them, advising them to see a counsellor, therapist or for them to take antidepressants. The signs are always there but we choose to ignore them. Some of the signs are isolation, sadness, loss of appetite, quietness etc. As family members and friends we need to check up on those we love and stop treating depression as just as another mood because this so called “mood” is a major cause of suicide.